Exercise Cope North 25 Debuts Trilateral F-35 Training in Guam
Defence News
F-35 Lightning II aircraft from Japan, the United States, and Australia have begun training together for the first time as part of Exercise Cope North 25, marking a significant milestone in trilateral air interoperability. The exercise, running from 3 to 21 February at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, sets the stage for frequent trilateral F-35 activities among the three nations.
Historic Trilateral F-35 Operations
Cope North 25 represents the first integrated training exercise where Australia, Japan, and the United States are conducting joint F-35 operations. The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has deployed a contingent of 275 aviators, along with eight F-35As, a KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, and an E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft. Meanwhile, the United States Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), United States Marine Corps (USMC), United States Navy (USN), and Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF) have committed approximately 85 F-35A and F-35B fighters to the exercise.
RAAF Contingent Commander Group Captain Darryl Porter highlighted the importance of the exercise in advancing the trilateral commitment made by Australian, Japanese, and U.S. defence ministers in May 2024.
“Exercise Cope North 25 is the first activity to be conducted under a 2024 Memorandum of Intent to increase trilateral air cooperation between the RAAF, PACAF, and JASDF,” Group Captain Porter said. “Bringing our F-35s and workforces together allows us to build on relationships and share practices, which will increase our interoperability with each other.”
Enhancing Joint Capabilities
During the exercise, air forces from all three nations will focus on improving command and control practices, refining air combat tactics, and strengthening cooperation during missions in the Western Pacific. Cope North 25 serves as the first in a series of trilateral exercises designed to integrate fifth-generation air warfare capabilities and whole-of-force coordination.
Strategic Indo-Pacific Training
For the RAAF, participation in Exercise Cope North since 2011 has provided invaluable experience in operating within the Indo-Pacific region. Deploying to Guam offers aviators an opportunity to train in an environment that closely simulates real-world operational conditions.
“We can recreate challenging scenarios and mission objectives for what is already a highly skilled workforce, operating some of the world’s most capable aircraft and systems,” Group Captain Porter said. “This is key to ensuring our aviators are prepared to generate and deliver effective air power and stand ready to contribute to the collective security of the Indo-Pacific.”
By integrating forces and enhancing operational readiness, Exercise Cope North 25 lays the foundation for greater strategic cooperation, ensuring the three nations can work seamlessly together in any future contingencies in the Indo-Pacific region.
